Penhelig Park & Monument
Penhelig Park Gardens is a delightful, public spot, adjacent to Penhelig Terrace, overlooking the Dyfi Estuary.
The gardens are largely tended by local volunteers to whom the community is thankful. Penhelig Park hosts a permanent memorial which commemorates the members of a unique Commando Troop, who were based in Aberdovey for some 9 months during the Second World War 1939-1945. No.10 (Inter-Allied) Commando unit, with its headquarters at Harlech, was made up of a number of volunteer troops, each representing a different European nationality, all dedicated to Allied interests, with each based at a different place in Britain. Most remarkable of them all, however, was No.3 Troop, based in Aberdovey, which was formed in 1942 and was made up of German and Austrian nationals, ‘enemy aliens’ many of whom were Jewish, and others who were either European (mainly Czech and Hungarian) or stateless, all of whom had fled the Nazi regime. The members of the troop, once trained, were used for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, affiliated to other troops either on the front line or behind enemy lines.
Whereas other troops were given the name of their nationality (e.g. No.2 Dutch Troop) No.3 was named X Troop by Winston Churchill, the X standing for an unknown quantity, a reflection of how bold the idea was considered to be.
There was no fanfare accompanying their arrival in Aberdovey – their role was secret. Each individual had taken a British name as a nommes de guerre and been given an identity backed up by all the necessary documentation. Only the village policeman was informed of the true purpose of the Troop, and they were billeted in private homes and integrated with village society – indeed, 3 married local girls.
Sadly, 20 were killed in action and 22 were wounded or disabled, all are honoured and remembered every Remembrance Day with a small wreath laying ceremony in Penhelig Park Gardens.
The monument was installed in 1999 and unveiled by the former Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Mr Meuric Reese CBE, in the presence of 28 survivors from 3 Troop, on 15th May of that year. For anyone who would like to read the full version of the leaflet detailing the story of 3 Troop 10 Commando, there are free copies in the Aberdovey Literary Institute.
Penhelig Park & Monument
Penhelig Park Gardens is a delightful, public spot, adjacent to Penhelig Terrace, overlooking the Dyfi Estuary.
The gardens are largely tended by local volunteers to whom the community is thankful.
Penhelig Park hosts a permanent memorial which commemorates the members of a unique Commando Troop, who were based in Aberdovey for some 9 months during the Second World War 1939-1945.
No.10 (Inter-Allied) Commando unit, with its headquarters at Harlech, was made up of a number of volunteer troops, each representing a different European nationality, all dedicated to Allied interests, with each based at a different place in Britain.
Most remarkable of them all, however, was No.3 Troop, based in Aberdovey, which was formed in 1942 and was made up of German and Austrian nationals, ‘enemy aliens’ many of whom were Jewish, and others who were either European (mainly Czech and Hungarian) or stateless, all of whom had fled the Nazi regime. The members of the troop, once trained, were used for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, affiliated to other troops either on the front line or behind enemy lines.
Whereas other troops were given the name of their nationality (e.g. No.2 Dutch Troop) No.3 was named X Troop by Winston Churchill, the X standing for an unknown quantity, a reflection of how bold the idea was considered to be.
There was no fanfare accompanying their arrival in Aberdovey – their role was secret. Each individual had taken a British name as a nommes de guerre and been given an identity backed up by all the necessary documentation. Only the village policeman was informed of the true purpose of the Troop, and they were billeted in private homes and integrated with village society – indeed, 3 married local girls.
Sadly, 20 were killed in action and 22 were wounded or disabled, all are honoured and remembered every Remembrance Day with a small wreath laying ceremony in Penhelig Park Gardens.
The monument was installed in 1999 and unveiled by the former Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Mr Meuric Reese CBE, in the presence of 28 survivors from 3 Troop, on 15th May of that year. For anyone who would like to read the full version of the leaflet detailing the story of 3 Troop 10 Commando, there are free copies in the Aberdovey Literary Institute.
Penhelig Park Gardens
Penhelig, Aberdovey
Penhelig Park
& Monument
Penhelig Park is a delightful, public spot, adjacent to Penhelig Terrace, overlooking the Dyfi Estuary.
The gardens are largely tended by local volunteers to whom the community is thankful.
Penhelig Park hosts a permanent memorial which commemorates the members of a unique Commando Troop, who were based in Aberdovey for some 9 months during the Second World War 1939-1945. No.10 (Inter-Allied) Commando unit, with its headquarters at Harlech, was made up of a number of volunteer troops, each representing a different European nationality, all dedicated to Allied interests, with each based at a different place in Britain.
Most remarkable of them all, however, was No.3 Troop, based in Aberdovey, which was formed in 1942 and was made up of German and Austrian nationals, ‘enemy aliens’ many of whom were Jewish, and others who were either European (mainly Czech and Hungarian) or stateless, all of whom had fled the Nazi regime. The members of the troop, once trained, were used for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, affiliated to other troops either on the front line or behind enemy lines.
Whereas other troops were given the name of their nationality (e.g. No.2 Dutch Troop) No.3 was named X Troop by Winston Churchill, the X standing for an unknown quantity, a reflection of how bold the idea was considered to be.
There was no fanfare accompanying their arrival in Aberdovey – their role was secret. Each individual had taken a British name as a nommes de guerre and been given an identity backed up by all the necessary documentation. Only the village policeman was informed of the true purpose of the Troop, and they were billeted in private homes and integrated with village society – indeed, 3 married local girls.
Sadly, 20 were killed in action and 22 were wounded or disabled, all are honoured and remembered every Remembrance Day with a small wreath laying ceremony in Penhelig Park Gardens.
The monument was installed in 1999 and unveiled by the former Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Mr Meuric Reese CBE, in the presence of 28 survivors from 3 Troop, on 15th May of that year. For anyone who would like to read the full version of the leaflet detailing the story of 3 Troop 10 Commando, there are free copies in the Aberdovey Literary Institute.
Penhelig Park Gardens
Penhelig, Aberdovey
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